We may not know what Cadillac’s future product portfolio will look like, or be powered by, but we have a pretty good idea of what it will consist of. There will be compact, midsize and full-size models covering all necessary segments, as well as a raft of compact, mid and full-size SUVs. But brand president Johan de Nysschen sees room in Cadillac’s future lineup for a less conventional model from Cadillac: a rival to the Porsche 911.
Car & Driver originally brought the topic up with de Nysschen, who much to our surprise, didn’t dismiss the idea right away. He expressed interest in producing a high performance sports car under the Cadillac name, but said “if you do a high-performance car like the 911, R8, or AMG GT too soon, then you run the risk of being too far removed from where the epicenter of the brand is, so it struggles to have relevance for people.”
What de Nysschen means is General Motors could throw a bunch of money at the theoretical 911-fighter and it could be pretty good, but that wouldn’t matter if it doesn’t convey the same message the rest of Cadillac’s lineup does. For example, when Audi rolled out the R8 in 2007, it was a nice compliment to the rest of their lineup, not a desperate attempt to drum up excitement.
“The Acura NSX was a great car, highly acclaimed. But it was so far removed from their other products at the time that I don’t think it did much for the brand,” de Nysschen explained. “It was the right time for Audi to do the R8 (in 2007).”
Cadillac is in the midst of its massive product overhaul, with the majority of the new vehicle launches set to take place before 2020. Once its entire portfolio exudes performance and luxury, Cadillac may be ready to drop their most high performance model yet. Just don’t count on it coming anytime soon.
“In the long term, yes, I can imagine that there’s such a car, but it’s in the long-term. Beyond 2020. Not 20 years, much closer than that,” de Nysschen said.
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Translation: We need C8 Corvettes on Alpha before doing anything upmarket/downmarket in the roadster business.
Cadillac: Still part of GM.
Compare the C4 C5 C6 C7 (Y body) platforms to Alpha and you may rethink wanting the C8 on Alpha. It would completely change the shape of the Corvette, and likely force it to sit higher due to both engine placement and suspension.
Unless I’m mistaken, you write for GMA, you guys do your “deep dive” articles on these platforms, those should make it clear that Alpha isn’t suited to replace the iconic Y Body and FMR layout of the Vette.
If the C8 goes RMR then both platforms are for sure off the table.
I’m not casting judgement on future Corvettes. I’m simply saying that it is clear this is why Cadillac won’t have a 911 fighter any time soon. Any mid-engine C8 would also take similar timetables to complete, ship, and then the platform become available for other badges to engineer atop.
Personally I am very bullish on an Alpha roadster program to replace Kappa. I love my Sky Red Line and want to see a successor on Opel and Buick, possibly as a new halo entry-level car for Buick*. Alpha was originally blueprinted to be able to absorb Kappa… eventually.
* Or Pontiac as a sub-brand of Buick.
And I do not write for GM Authority. I also do not work for GM.
Chris the C8 will be here in 5 years or less.
Now to do a Cadillac version right it could take 10 years if started in the next year. While it may share with the Corvette it would not share so much that they would just pair them up like the last time.
Also Cadillac has other projects that need attention first then they can move to a non profit halo car.
I think you will find that the future will lie with the C8.
The C8 will be Rear Mid Engine and the platform can be made into a proper car for Cadillac with the use of their own engine and more money invested to make it right.
Nysschen was the man who over saw the perfect conversion of a Lambo platform into a R8 and it has done well. The same can be done here to make both cars different but yet relevant.
The Alpha is not even in the picture here anymore. You can put that thought out to pasture.
You may want to note the Chaparrals was the first hint of where GM is going. While the C8 will not be anything this crazy it lays the historic ground work for GM and Chevys history of Mid Engine with out having to bring up the details of all the failed Mid Engine Corvettes.
I know many do not want to accept it but the C8 is the real deal mid engine and it is coming. Too many hints are out there and it is not about a show car they development.
Note the Cadillac version of a C8 has been already noted in the media so I am not the only one thinking this.
Note the time line would be about right too.
Now the Cayenne he also spoke of could be on the Omega or Alpha. A performance SUV on these could be easily done.
Cadillac has great product. Screw this crap of “911 fighter in 10 years” and something about a $250K vehicle by 2029. Here are two things to do NOW. First, fix the dealerships. Have you been in a Cadillac dealership head of Cadillac guy? Yeah, I didn’t think so. Two, marketing.
Would be interesting what the 911 competitor halo car be like. A car with a stealth fighter looks, Oh my!
Elvis would have loved it